392 Three Years (1/2)

”Fang Yuan is once again the top student. Let us congratulate him! Everyone, follow his as the role model and work hard!”

Teacher Zhang Haiman was full of emotions as she announced the results on stage. With that, she pinned a small red flower on Fang Yuan's chest.

In her eyes, Fang Yuan was a delinquent who had understood the teachings and finally found his way. Now, he was a model student who was obedient and hardworking. By achieving the position of top student every year, he was a role model for all of them to emulate.

Teacher Zhang Haiman was filled with a sense of accomplishment as she felt that she was successful in turning Fang Yuan into a changed boy.

Hmm, if Fang Yuan, who was once a troublemaker, was able to change for the better, everyone could do the same!

Teacher Zhang had a look of excitement on her face, and Fang Yuan's friends shudder as their hair stood on its ends.

”Pa! Pa!”

Amidst the applause, Fang Yuan took a deep bow and returned to his seat with a composed look.

Really! He was already a matured adult and yet he was here, bullying the children and students by becoming the top student. How different was this to snatching sweets from children? It was despicable!

The good thing was that in these few years, he had become increasingly thick-skinned and paid no attention to Wei Xiaohong's murderous look.

Mmm, it was important to mention the fact that the child who had snitched on Fang Yuan three years ago used to be the top student.

It was unknown if she felt a tinge of regret for creating such a strong opponent for herself after that incident.

Three years had already passed since the physical test.

Fang Yuan and his friends had grown to become youths and they were now studying in junior high school.

Of course, the impressive 'Liu Fei' was being transferred to somewhere else the day after the physical test. He was being brought to the city, which was the dream of the many orphans in the orphanage. He was living the life that they could never imagine.

Fang Yuan had a new best brother, Zhao Daniu. Because he had an additional meal every night, his build became bigger. He grew taller and his chest became wider. Coupled with the fact that he was a good basketball player and had good results as well, he was the most attractive male in the school and had received many love letters from young girls.

The good thing was that Fang Yuan was resolute and therefore, he did not taint his reputation.

”Alright, students, let's open our history textbooks and revise our Modern History...”

As the school bell rang, the history teacher took out her pointer. ”Fang Yuan, summarise about Modern History!”

”Yes!”

Fang Yuan stood up, cleared his thoughts and started to recall the history of this realm. ”Historians agree that the exploration of the oceans is completed. We have 3 continents, and there is a consensus that Modern History begins from the moment the world map was charted out. That year is known as 1.”

”In the next 1,000 years, countries started to develop their navies. Civilisation slowly wiped out ignorance and barbaric practices, pushing the world to greater heights! However, due to the inconvenience of ancient ships with sails and the slow rate of production, the progress of the world came to the lowest point. This was known as the dark ages and lasted for 750 years...”

”In the year 782, Professor Thomas Newcomen from the West Continent, Golden Eagle Federation discovered the power of the steam and coal. From there, he created the first ever steam-powered engine and used the force generated by steam to leapfrog on the world stage. The Industrial Revolution happened and in the span of a hundred years, civilisation had progressed more than the collective progress of the past one thousand years!”

”In the year 867, a citizen of the Golden Eagle Federation, Mr Wheatstone perfected the first steam-powered generator, welcoming a new age with the introduction of electricity. With the steam-powered engine and electricity, the industries of the world took off and the world had the power to change...”

At this point, Fang Yuan was a little shocked.

Although this realm had petroleum as well, they did not have as much. Instead, they had an abundance of coal. The efficiency from combusting this coal was much higher than the type that Fang Yuan had seen before. Together with technological advancements, the improved steam-powered generator was now comparable to an internal combustion engine, which allowed the steam-powered generator to remain relevant and coexist with the introduction of electricity.

The present day was the combination of the discoveries from the first and second Industrial Revolution.

”The Golden Eagle Federation started to colonise countries through their sturdy ships and strong cannons. They became the most advanced country in the world. With the uprising of their economy and their banks, together with conflicts among the higher powers, finally...”

In the year 994, a world war broke out!”

”The leader of the Golden Eagle Federation was usurped and the federation now started to trade with the people of the Middle Continent and East Continent. They were the Golden Eagle Federation of West Continent, Chinese Country of Middle Continent and Blue Star Alliance of East Continent. Around these three big countries, there were many other smaller countries with their own resources and own technologies. Some of them were much poorer and less developed, and these are basically the countries on Planet Earth...”

”Very good!”

The teacher gave him an applause. ”Fang Yuan is very familiar with Modern History. Students, take note of the important points for they will be tested in the upcoming test...”

As soon as the teacher finished her sentence, there were scribbling sounds everywhere.

Even the few troublemakers seemed serious.

”It's the promotional examinations!”

Fang Yuan sat down and remained speechless. ”Who would know... even after dream-traversing, I still cannot escape this!”

...

It was nightfall.

Everyone around him had fallen asleep. Like an agile cat, Fang Yuan slipped out of the orphanage and arrived at the bomb shelter.

”Fang Yuan... I'm lucky today, I've caught a few fishes!”

Zhou Daniu sat next to the bonfire. He pierced a wooden branch through the fishes and roasted them over the fire.